Honor Susan Ponds’ Service

Senate Resolution No. 1430 BY: Senator MONTGOMERY HONORING Susan Ponds upon the occasion of her designation for special recognition by the New York State Office for the Aging on May 21, 2019 WHEREAS, Senior citizens bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the increasingly active roles they play in today's society; their past contributions and future participation are a vital part of, and valuable asset to, the fabric of community life and activity; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Susan Ponds upon the occasion of her designation for special recognition by the New York State Office for the Aging at its Annual Older New Yorkers Day Celebration on Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at the Hart Theatre Lounge in The Egg, Albany, New York; and WHEREAS, Each May, the New York State Office for the Aging pauses to acknowledge the outstanding contributions made by older citizens during National Older Americans Month; and WHEREAS, Members of older generations have helped build and shape our Nation to be the greatest in the world; they have defended our freedoms and values to ensure that those who come after them may have better lives; nowhere in the Nation is the legacy of their efforts more visible and more a part of the lives of all citizens than here in the State of New York; and WHEREAS, Susan Ponds has continually demonstrated extreme competence, extraordinary intelligence and diligent leadership in her unwavering service to her community and, consequently, has been selected for this most prestigious honor; and WHEREAS, A resident of the Sandy F. Ray Senior Citizen Houses for the past ten years, Susan Ponds is a member of the Tompkins Park Neighborhood Senior Center in her building where she volunteers in the lunch room and at the center's food pantry; and WHEREAS, In addition, Susan Ponds, a certified tax preparer with the IRS, gives of her time and energies preparing short forms and school tax credit forms for the older residents; and WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to her community, Susan Ponds serves as Vice President of the Tompkins Park Senior Council; she is also a member of Cornerstone Baptist Church's Rodman Senior Citizen Council where she has served as treasurer and helps plan trips and outings for older adults; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, this extraordinary woman volunteers at Kings County Hospital and the Salvation Army; and WHEREAS, Born and raised in South Carolina, Susan Ponds has been a resident of Brooklyn, New York, for 63 years; she is the proud mother of one son and the loving grandmother of one granddaughter and two great-grandsons; and WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by individuals for the benefit of others which Susan Ponds has displayed throughout her life; and WHEREAS, Susan Ponds has enriched the lives of her family, friends and colleagues through her love and respect for others, and through the wisdom which comes from many years of living life to the fullest; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Susan Ponds upon the occasion of her designation for special recognition by the New York State Office for the Aging on May 21, 2019; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Susan Ponds.